Nebres triumphs in Tour of Tarlac

Richard Nebres of Team Ace Sports Group (left) challenges the endurance of Ryan Bravo of 7-Eleven in an uphill phase of the Tour of Tarlac in Tarlac City. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Richard Nebres of Team Ace Sports Group (ASG) bagged the inaugural Tour of Tarlac 2016 general classification (GC) title on Sunday at the Tarlac Recreational Park in Tarlac City, Tarlac.

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The 22-year old Nebres from Davao City, after three stages, posted a strong finish of two hours, 50 minutes and 14 seconds.

“I am so happy because this is the first time I won in the general classification category,” Nebres told The Manila Times.

He earlier ruled the Stage 1 (00:34:26) and Stage 2 (1:28:31) of the tournament, which tested the participants’ endurance under the scorching summer heat.

“The sweats and hardships during the training was all worth it,” he added.

Nebres was followed by his teammate, Ranolfo Martin and Jerard Estilo who reached the finish line in 2:54:37 and 2:55:28, respectively.

Finishing with a time record of 47 minutes and 16 seconds, Team ASG topped the Team Time Trial Stage 3 that passed through a route of winding roads, up and down hills and sharp turn points.

“They really train very hard. They have been training hard for the last three years and this is the year they earned the results. They are really deserving,” ASG team manager Raymond Ng of Singapore said.

Ng said that they provided the ASG group’s apparels and bicycles to inspire its members to become team coaches and managers in the future as well as improve their lives through the sport.

Team Aboitiz Power finished second, 30 seconds behind the leader, followed by Team 5:30 boys who were behind two minutes and 19 second.

“During the race, our swapping was smooth and consistent. I took care of my team and pushes them whenever they are falling out of group,” team captain Nebres said.

“We are happy that, overall, the race went very well. We don’t have so much casualties on the players – they are abiding by the rules,” said race director Arjuna Saulo, a national team coach for Mountain Bike.

In the men’s 30 to 39-year old category, Dennis Papag of Aboitiz Power ruled the GC with a time record of 2:55:46 followed by teammate Jason Comandante (2:58:45) and Team Franzia’s Ramonsito Ranolfo (2:59:45), respectively.

Another Aboitiz Power bet Manuel Acabado Reynante Jr. ruled the men’s 40 to 49 age group with 2:59:11.

Finishing second and third were Emmanuel Pineda (2:59:21) of 5:30 boys Mandy Loreto (2:59:43) of Team COM/ VERDAX Builders, respectively.

In the team manager’s category, Carlito Magno of Team COM/ VERDAX Builders bested other competitors with a time record of 3:11:50, followed by Frankie Domingo (3:19:12) of Mossimo and Rodel Ramirez (3:30:42) of Franzia team.

In the women’s GC category, Gina Ching (2:41:39) of Franzia won over Angelica Yvonne Limjoco (2:45:43) of Team BMC.

The TOT also hosted a fun ride dubbed Padjak ni Juan. The latter aims to raise fund for the out-of-school youth of Tarlac.

The Tarlac race is a prelude to the upcoming Tour de Tayabas in May and the inaugural Tour of Rizal in September.

The TOT aims to drum up interest for the sport as well as showcase the beauty of Tarlac.